New Transport Vision launched in Arundel

A vision of a healthier, greener, better for business and better connected future for the Sussex coast was launched at Arundel Town Hall on Thursday.

Campaign for Better Transport expert, Bridget Fox, highlighted key findings of the 'New Transport Vision for the Sussex Coast' independent study commissioned for South Coast Alliance for Transport and Environment (SCATE) to a full audience. She showed that, in contrast with authority predictions of continued traffic growth, urban traffic has reduced and commuters have dropped by a fifth, while rail use has rocketed and the economy and population have grown.

Bridget explained that work, shopping and leisure is rapidly changing , particularly with new techology, and transport policies are failing to keep up: evidence shows that road building leads to more congestion and more road building while failing to deliver promised economic benefits.

The report provides a plan for the Sussex coastal region which includes bringing together strategies for different modes of transport, integrated ticketing (like the Oyster card) and 'smart' journey planning, linking better planned building development with transport (including easier walking and cycling), parking strategies and freight management, joined up transport information and road improvements for better quality routes.

Chair, Arundel resident Dr Peter Smith, said 'We can see that major new road building is a 1960s solution. We need a rethink before we lose what makes Sussex so special, particularly the South Downs National Park. The New Transport Vision provides reasoned 21st century choices.'

John Coote from Worthing and Derrick Coffee of Eastbourne answered questions about how the study can provide joined up solutions to transport issues along the length of the A27.

Kay Wagland, chair of Arundel Scate hosting the launch, presented proposals for the A27 at Arundel which would support the New Transport Vision. She said 'the New Purple route design is a short, safer stretch of 40mph, wide, single carriageway which significantly improves traffic flow without increasing capacity. It does not damage the National Park and meets real traffic needs rather than unrealistic projections for 25 years time made by Highways England.'

The New Transport Vision specially commissioned for South Coast Alliance for Transport and Environment, was undertaken by London consultancy Integrated Transport Planning Ltd, in association with the University of the West of England and has been launched at locations targeted for A27 construction schemes. It can be downloaded from scate.org.uk.

Seek better land use, infrastructure and transport planning to reduce the need to travel and dependence on the private car

Oppose damaging road-building schemes along the south coast corridor

Ensure that the environment is properly valued (for its contribution to the economy and human health) and that full consideration in particular is given to impacts on landscape, biodiversity and climate change in all decision making.

Campaign for Better Transport is a national charity which promotes sustainable transport and access. It lobbies national and local government to develop policies, works with transport companies and campaigns with local communities. Bettertransport.org.uk